LANDED!

[dlmt]

Well - we landed yesterday. Traveled to Buffalo and got the passport stamped at the Canadian Consulate and then traveled over to the border (Queenston) and officially landed. We took my husband's truck (US plates) with us and imported it into Canada with just the title. That is step one. The second step is to have it checked out to ensure that it meets Canadian standards and then we can switch the plates mandatory $220.00). We applied for his SIN number - got that (they will mail the offiical card within a week), getting his Ontario licence is a bit of a hassel - have to have an abstract done first from his state and it has to be an original so they have to mail it to you (if they will) and OHIP requires a bill ie: hydro, gas or water that has his name it before you can apply. OHIP is a 3 month wait, everything else is immediate if you have the information that you need. All in all, every officer was pleasant and welcoming (except for the US border patrol, not too friendly, I think there was pee in the morning cereal).

The Queenston border applies for your PR card.....does anyone know how long it takes to arrive. You can't travel outside of Canada without it.

;D

 

[j2m]

Congratulations! That is great to hear. Can you give us a few more details. What time did you get to the Buffalo office, How long did you wait, what did they ask for?...
Am I understanding this correctly? After you land, you can't leave Canada until you have the PR Card?

 

[Patricksgirls]

Seems like that day will never come for us! Glad you figured out what do to with the truck.

 

[kelKel]

If you don't need a visa to travel in or out of Canada you can leave without your PR card if you need to travel. Just be equiped with COPR and corresponding documents and you should be okay!

 

[j2m]

Thanks for clarifying KelKel!!

 

[dlmt]

Congratulations! That is great to hear. Can you give us a few more details. What time did you get to the Buffalo office, How long did you wait, what did they ask for?...
Am I understanding this correctly? After you land, you can't leave Canada until you have the PR Card?

We arrived at the offices in Buffalo about 8:30am (they only process visas between 8am and 11am Tuesday's and Thursday's). We waited about 45 minutes. When you arrive they ask for your passport and the letter/email that you received requesting it (the passport). Then you sit in a waiting room until they call your number (they give you a number when you first arrive). You can leave but can't get back in (well the PR can't) until the card is received. You can request a "special travel" permit (not sure what it's called) but that's another application etc. They suggested if we wanted to travel to the US that we travel via Buffalo until the card is received.

 

[patiently_waiting]

Yeah! Good stuff!
Just so you know if you don't have a bill you can also use your car insurance certificate! I just used mine upon return to Canada and reinstating my OHIP

 

[dlmt]

Seems like that day will never come for us! Glad you figured out what do to with the truck.

Your day is coming.....for sure it is. I had a talk with them in Buffalo and told them that ALL outstanding applications need to be processed within the next month - they told me to get out - as if

 

[kelKel]

Your day is coming.....for sure it is. I had a talk with them in Buffalo and told them that ALL outstanding applications need to be processed within the next month - they told me to get out - as if

Thanks for giving them hell in Buffalo for me!

 

[j2m]

dlmt: I noticed you said that you received your "decision made" last week. Do you mind sharing how long, after your update on e-cas, it took to get your PPR? Was it email or snail mail?

 

[dlmt]

dlmt: I noticed you said that you received your "decision made" last week. Do you mind sharing how long, after your update on e-cas, it took to get your PPR? Was it email or snail mail?

I don't mind at all! Got the decision made last Tuesday, got the PPR on Thursday (via email) - 2 days!!! Quick!!!